TEXAS INDIAN PAPERS, 1846-1859 169 In Feby, 1852 there was another descent made upon the herd belonging to the Boundary Commission on which occassion 19 mules were driven off. and the herders life sacrificed. On the same day 37 head of cattle and a number of horses were taken from Mr. Seltond's Rancho 19 miles above El Paso. On the 29 inst. a number of horses and mules were driven off from Stevenson'~ Coral near his residence about 3 miles from this point. On the 7th March a large quantity of stock were taken from Mesilla. On 19th May a Quantity of stock were taken from Ronquilla. Samuel Magoffin was also attacked about this time at Mr. Lilland's Rancho. About the 1st inst. a quantity of cattle were taken off be- tween Conevidia & Y sleta. Early in March 30 or 40 head of mules were taken from Mr Magoffin's Coral immediately opposite El Paso, besides many other depredations of a similar character, which have almost incessantly been perpetrated within the limits of our county. In addition to our difficulties with the Indians on the one hand, we experience unfeigned regret in making known to your Excellency that the conduct of men professing to be citizens of our own Government has been frequently of such a character, as to have bid defiance to the law and to have rendered the civil authorities in the administration of Justice absolutely power- less, our county has at different periods been overrun by a set of low life and reckless men ; who prided themselves in the mag- nitude of their crimes and the number of their vices, and against whom the mandates of the law could not be inforced for the want of necessary military aid and protection. We sincerly trust that the above meager outline of the true state of things in this section will at least be sufficient to im- press upon the mind of your Excellency, the necessity of ex- tending to the people of this frontier that protection guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the Land. We would therefore respectfully ask that your Excellency take such steps as may be consistent with your authority to place upon our exposed frontier such a number of troops as to insure the object contemplated by this representation.
CHAS H HOPPIN
ESLER HENDREE
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